Statins may lower flu risk

A prescription to buy Lipitor or any other statin medication is known to be one of the most effective methods for lowering cholesterol levels, but it may also prove to be an effective treatment for reducing risk factors associated with the flu, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Oregon Public Health Division analyzed data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 3,000 individuals hospitalized for the flu. The results showed that those who were not already taking statins at the time of their admission were twice as likely to die while in the hospital.

The team said their findings could not definitely explain why statins had such beneficial effects for flu patients, but they did point out that the medications have anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, they have been shown to interact with the immune system. These benefits may explain why flu patients appear to be protected if they are taking statins.

A prescription to buy Lipitor is already one of the most common pharmaceutical treatments, but the findings suggest that even more individuals may benefit from taking the medication.